I have two things that I would like to discuss because I need you to help hold me accountable to the first and I need to record/marvel at the second.
1. God told me not to eat sugar. Okay- it didn't really go down like that... He just showed me (lovingly and patiently) that sugar CONSUMES me...(when it should be the other way around- ha!)...and separates me from Him. This has been a long time coming and it is a HUGE GIFT that He has shown me the root cause of much of my grief and connection to the world/flesh. He GRACEFULLY showed it to me (without giving me a disease or heart attack- just revealed) and then left the ball in my court.
It's my responsibility to take action- to step out in faith and obedience and REAP THE BLESSINGS of doing so. So today I am officially cutting refined sugar out of my diet. I will eat fruit and nature's sugar- but no more "sweets"! Jesus died on the cross for my sins- He gave up ALL HIS FLESH... I can give up this one little thing. Two verses that are speaking to me regarding that:
James 4:17 "Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." - I KNOW that I OUGHT not eat sugar because it makes me sin. It controls me and causes me to take my eyes off God. (FYI, this is just for me- I don't think this applies to everyone... It's just what our very personal God has shown ME).
1 Peter 4:2 "...for if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin." I want to be finished with sin!! I want to suffer for (which puts me in a place where I am DESPERATE FOR) Christ!!
2. Yesterday God told me what I can tell people who ask me "What do you do for a living?" - I have tried to avoid that question for the past few months because my answer is always so marshmellow-y ("ummm...I work for God..." etc.)... but He gave me clarity and a "position". I am a Disciple. I am a follower of Jesus! Yesterday I watched this sermon (Radical, week 1) by Jimmy Carroll at Journey Church, and he talks about how their leadership team defines a "Christ follower" as someone who is "getting to know Him and responds". That word- "respond" is a HUGE word. It's all about ACTION!
So here's my crazy story:
Yesterday God told me to make a cardboard sign that says "PRAY" and then go and stand on a street corner. Today I did it. I was scared and nervous and fearful at first- but God BLESSED it. He was SO PRESENT. He held my hand. He encouraged me. He showed me that I was a good girl and that He was able to work through my obedience and humility. He told me when and where to go and how long to stay. (There were many times I wanted to leave (especially when it started raining)- but He said to hang on a little longer). I had been out there a little over 2 hours and felt Him tell me to "pack it up" but I told Him that I wanted to stay longer - I would go all day!!! But He told me something very profound and important. He reminded me that I can't do it on my own power and that I have to listen to Him. He told me there would be another opportunity but that it was time to go home.
ISN'T THAT CRAZY???? Yes!
It was awesome. There were a LOT of people that encouraged / celebrated with me. There were a lot of people that I saw that were challenged. There were a lot of people that I couldn't read. There was one woman who was writing a sermon on prayer for Sunday and she was inspired. There were at least 3 people that tried to give me cash - :) <--no, I didn't take it!! ha!
God let me stand on a street corner and PRAY and WORSHIP Him with strangers!!!! WHAT?!!! WOW!!!! He let me be a part of His work! Hundreds and hundreds of people saw the word "PRAY" today. If it helped even one person to lift their eyes up to our HOLY and RIGHTEOUS Father in Heaven, it was worth overcoming all the fear in the world!!
ps. There was only one person that gave me a "thumbs down". God protected my heart and I think He led me to pray for him. Awesome!!
<3
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